The Federal Government is reviewing the visa of a pro-Palestinian demonstrator who told an October 7 rally last night there was cause for celebration. The US law academic said the date was a ‘good day’ because the world had switched on to what is happening in Gaza. The comments have been labelled ‘heartless’ by the New South Wales premier and the man is now facing potential deportation.
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00:00As political leaders joined the Jewish community for a candlelit vigil last night, a pro-Palestinian
00:08rally in southwest Sydney had its own special guest.
00:13U.S. academic Khaled Beydoun condemned Israel's military action in Gaza and Lebanon and the
00:18civilian death toll, but said there were reasons to be upbeat.
00:22Today is not fully a day of mourning in many respects.
00:26Today is also a day that marks considerable celebration, considerable progress and in
00:32some respects considerable privilege.
00:34The level of global literacy around what's taking place in Palestine has exponentially
00:41risen.
00:42The rally had already been criticized by the Prime Minister over its links with fundamentalist
00:46group Hizb ut-Tahrir, but Mr. Beydoun's comments have now drawn the ire of Home Affairs Minister
00:51Tony Burke, who's asked for the academic's visa to be reviewed.
00:56Before last night's rally had even started, the New South Wales Premier criticized it,
01:00saying it was inappropriate for October 7 when the Jewish community was mourning the
01:04victims of Hamas' attack.
01:06Chris Minns says he expects the Commonwealth to act on Mr. Beydoun's visa within days.
01:11Completely unsympathetic to those that are going through a terrible day in Sydney and
01:17around the world and heartless.
01:21Jewish leaders say the speech could cause social division.
01:24These are extremely dangerous statements that have no place in civilized society.
01:29The ABC's attempted to contact Khaled Beydoun, but hasn't received a reply.